Vancouver Whitecaps FC announce 2018 MLS regular season schedule

Highlighted by an all-Canadian tilt in the season opener, first-ever Canada Day home match at BC Place, first-ever visit from Los Angeles Football Club, and a third consecutive Decision Day battle against Portland Timbers, Whitecaps FC unveiled their 2018 regular season schedule and kickoff times on Thursday – exactly two months ahead of their eighth season in Major League Soccer.

“This coming season is about building on what we did last season and taking aim at MLS Cup,” said Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi. “Credit to our technical staff who have been working diligently throughout the offseason to improve our roster and we will have additional announcements in the build-up to the season opener on March 4. This is going to be a team that gives everything they have for this city.”

The Whitecaps FC season kicks off against Canadian rivals Montreal Impact at BC Place on Sunday, March 4. Vancouver’s 34-match slate includes two fixtures against each Western Conference team, except for 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs Knockout Round opponent San Jose Earthquakes, who WFC will face three times. The ‘Caps will again play Eastern Conference clubs once each, either home or away, and in reverse of the 2017 fixture.

All 34 of Vancouver’s matches will be broadcast on the TSN network, including three matches on CTV – Canada’s most-watched television network – and the TSN GO app. In addition, TSN Radio Vancouver will once again broadcast all Whitecaps FC matches with a one-hour pre and post match show.

The season culminates with Decision Day presented by AT&T, with all league matches kicking off simultaneously at 1:30 p.m PT. The ‘Caps host Cascadia rival Portland Timbers at BC Place in the regular season finale. The Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs will begin on Wednesday, October 31 and the 2018 MLS Cup is set for Saturday, December 8.

Additional WFC 2018 MLS regular season schedule notes below.
CASCADIA CUP SCHEDULE
The ‘Caps aim to recapture the Cascadia Cup when they face rivals Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders FC twice each this season. The final derby match will be played on Decision Day when the ‘Caps host Timbers at BC Place. It will be the third consecutive season that the two teams will clash in the regular season finale.

CANADA DAY AT BC PLACE & OTHER HOLIDAY WEEKEND MATCHES
Whitecaps FC will play a home match on Canada Day for the first time since joining MLS. They host Colorado Rapids on Sunday, July 1 at BC Place.

They are also at home on Labour Day weekend when they host San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, September 1 at BC Place.

Whitecaps FC travel on four holiday weekend road trips this year.

Easter weekend: Saturday, March 31 at Columbus Crew SC

Victoria Day weekend: Saturday, May 19 at FC Dallas

BC Day weekend: Saturday, August 4 at New York City FC

Thanksgiving weekend: Saturday, October 6 at Toronto FC

HOME DAYS
Whitecaps FC will host home matches at BC Place on:

Eight Saturdays

Four Sundays

Three Fridays

Two Wednesdays

ROAD DAYS
Whitecaps FC will play on the road on:

14 Saturdays

Two Fridays

One Sunday

HOME KICKOFF TIMES
The ‘Caps home schedule has 10 evening matches with 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. kickoff times, including the three Friday and two Wednesday fixtures.

Also, the home slate has four afternoon matches kicking off at 4 p.m. In addition, there are three matches with an earlier afternoon kickoff time – the season opener versus Montreal Impact at 3 p.m., the May 26 match versus New England Revolution at 2:30 p.m., and the Decision Day matchup versus Portland Timbers at 1:30 p.m.

NEW OPPONENT AND NEW STADIUMS
Whitecaps FC host expansion side Los Angeles Football Club for their first-ever matchup on Friday, April 13 at BC Place. The ‘Caps visit LAFC on Sunday, October 21 at Banc of California Stadium, which is set to open this April 2018.

WFC also make their first-ever visit to Atlanta United FC on Saturday, March 17 and will play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Opened last August, the venue was also named as the site of the 2018 MLS All-Star Game.

Audi Field opens on Saturday, July 14 as the ‘Caps visit D.C. United in the new 20,000-seat soccer stadium.
FIFA WORLD CUP BREAK
The MLS schedule will include a break for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with no teams playing between June 14 through 22. The FIFA World Cup group stage takes place from June 14 through June 28, and the knockout stage will be played from June 30 through July 14.

CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
The schedule for the 2018 Canadian Championship will be announced at a later date.

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